Cauda Equina Syndrome in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Challenges in Diagnosis, Management, and Pathogenesis

CES is a rare yet debilitating neurologic complication of longstanding AS. The pathophysiology and treatments are far from clear. We postulate that chronic enthesitis of the vertebral column initiates the process that results in dural stiffening and formation of ectasias, causing downstream nerve root damage.